To cope up with the ever evolving maritime security landscape, the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) said Wednesday, June 8, that it will fortify its cooperation with its counterpart from the United States (US).
Maj. Gen. Nestor Herico, PMC Commandant, emphasized the importance of aviation in the corps “to establish a strong Navy and Marines.”
As such, the PMC have officially commenced its bilateral training with the Marine Corps Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) of the United States dubbed as the Marine Aviation Support Activity 2022 (MASA 22).
“MASA is a bilateral exercise between the PMC and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) which aims to enhance the combined and joint interoperability among participating forces in conducting combined tactical operations and heliborne operations,” Herico said.
The drills will include integrated and joint interoperability activities such as coastal defense, forward arming and refueling, and subject matter exchanges for unmanned aviation system and engineering with participants from the Naval Air Wing of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force.
The opening ceremony was held last June 6 at the PMC headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Meanwhile, the exercises will be conducted in Palawan from June 6 to 17, and in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte from July 18 to 22.
Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder, commander of the US Marines’ MARFORPAC, expressed his gratitude to the Philippine government for supporting the conduct of the PH-US MASA 22.
“Training side-by-side increases a combined military capability and friendship which directly contributes strength to this alliance,” Rudder said.